Sex Offenders Rehabilitation
Many in the system view people with this disorder as disgusting and not needing to be released out of prison. Many are sent to prison based on the stigma of child sexual abuse. This is not saying what the individual committed was not wrong, but that due to a disorder it should be handled differently with a focus on treatment and rehabilitation. Back in the 1980s when a surge of child sexual abuse began being reported, people jumped to the action of creating harsher laws and sentencing. The “tough on crime” political atmosphere surrounding the time and even today helped pushed through an escalation of punishment for sex offenders. By the 1990s, people began to term these individuals as “sex offender” and even worse “sexual predator” (Lynch,
2002). The way the system responded after such uprising from the community was by increasing prison sentences and a new strategy that would alter the offender physiologically, chemical castration (Lynch, 2002). Once the offender is released from prison they bore the label of felon and sex offender. Just like any other felon, they have to check a box on applications saying they are an offender. This will effect whether they can obtain employment or not. Sex offenders have to register as a sex offender due to Megan’s Law. They have to register identifying information with law enforcement for years or life. Life is a pretty big time to have that stigma and label on their back. When registered as a sexual offender there are places you cannot live or go. You cannot be within so many feet of a school or child facility. You cannot work with children or be around them. Some offenders are also subject to a notification clause which allows authorities to supply offenders’ identifying information and addresses to community groups and members of that community (Lynch, 2002). This is extreme in some cases. People can always look up those who are registered as sexual offenders. By giving notice of addresses can leave open serious harassment and even death for that individual. Yet, they have barely any protections. Pedophilia is a mental disorder and should be treated that way. Abusing disorders as a way of detaining someone is wrong. There should be more acceptance of disorders and a way to change societies perceptions of individuals struggling with disorders. More information about the disorders would benefit individuals and the community. Labels should be dropped, but they should still have to register as an offender for the protection of children. Hopefully, we will see a day when individuals with disorders are treated fairly in all systems, not just the criminal justice system.
2002). The way the system responded after such uprising from the community was by increasing prison sentences and a new strategy that would alter the offender physiologically, chemical castration (Lynch, 2002). Once the offender is released from prison they bore the label of felon and sex offender. Just like any other felon, they have to check a box on applications saying they are an offender. This will effect whether they can obtain employment or not. Sex offenders have to register as a sex offender due to Megan’s Law. They have to register identifying information with law enforcement for years or life. Life is a pretty big time to have that stigma and label on their back. When registered as a sexual offender there are places you cannot live or go. You cannot be within so many feet of a school or child facility. You cannot work with children or be around them. Some offenders are also subject to a notification clause which allows authorities to supply offenders’ identifying information and addresses to community groups and members of that community (Lynch, 2002). This is extreme in some cases. People can always look up those who are registered as sexual offenders. By giving notice of addresses can leave open serious harassment and even death for that individual. Yet, they have barely any protections. Pedophilia is a mental disorder and should be treated that way. Abusing disorders as a way of detaining someone is wrong. There should be more acceptance of disorders and a way to change societies perceptions of individuals struggling with disorders. More information about the disorders would benefit individuals and the community. Labels should be dropped, but they should still have to register as an offender for the protection of children. Hopefully, we will see a day when individuals with disorders are treated fairly in all systems, not just the criminal justice system.